Principles of VPH Policy 1

Question 1

Why were we, as humans, interested in healing of animals thousands of years ago?

Answer 1

Religion.
Working/war animals.
Entertainment.
Transport.
FOOD!

Firstly centred on horses for war, then livestock for food, then dog, companion animals and exotics.

Question 2

The hygiene of animals and the history of this.

Answer 2

Ancient history:
- offerings to deities = only perfect animals or products allowed.
– clean/unclean.
– healthy/unhealthy.
Religious food laws:
- no ALREADY-DEAD animals are consumed (that have not been seen to be alive).
- no raw meat.
- specific animals not eaten e.g. holy.
- Tacitus: Eastern people did not eat pork because believed to cause scurvy and leprosy.
Ancient Greece:
- market police made sure only fresh meat sold.
Rome:
- Meat halls inspected and discarded meat thrown in river.
Middle ages:
- started w/ producer slaughtering own animals.
- developed to specialisation and division of tasks as cities developed.
First vet school in 1700s to control Rinderpest and other dz.
Then professionals in meat inspection.
OVs.

Question 3

Instruments of policy.

Answer 3

Legislation.
Education.
Communication.
Research.
Subsidies.
Control/supervision/inspection.
Enforcing legislation.
- authority, inspectors etc.

Question 4

Definitions of policy.

Answer 4

“The actions of governments and the intentions that determine those actions.”

“Public policy consists of political decisions for implementing programs to achieve societal goals.”

“Public policy is the sum of government activities, whether acting directly or through agents, as it has influence on the life of citizens.”

“Public policy is the outcome of the struggle in government over who gets what.”

Question 5

How do governments decide what to do and what not to do?

Answer 5

Evidence-based.
Strategy - scientific and others.
Consideration for impact on public vs industry.
- direct as a result of policy.
- indirect as unintended consequences.
– need to write around policy to establish these or minimise them.

Question 6

Factors that determine policy.

Answer 6

Politics.
International organisations.
Media.
Society - social media.
Lobby groups.
- Animal Protection Organisations.
- Agricultural organisations.
- Trade organisations.
- Financial players.

Question 7

Policy life cycle.

Answer 7

Agenda setting through politics, science, society, media, lobby groups&raquo_space; agendas are analysed&raquo_space; policies are developed&raquo_space; policies are implemented w/ instruments and evaluation and monitoring takes place over time (q5yrs)&raquo_space; faults and needs for improvements in policies are found&raquo_space; agendas reset&raquo_space; repeat.

Question 8

VPH policy agenda points.

Answer 8

Food safety.
Animal health.
Animal welfare.
Consumer protection.
Trade conditions.
Economics.
Public health.
Food defence.
Social programs (poverty reduction).

Question 9

Role of International Organisations and Standards.

Answer 9

Animals, animal products and food of animal origin widely traded internationally.
Risk of spread of animal diseases, zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance through trade.
Trading and protection of health.
International agreements on health requirements for trade.
Profound effect on national approaches.